Tackling period poverty and the stigma surrounding menstruation in a sustainable, collaborative and ethical way.

Period Dignity for all.

Our vision is that menstruation becomes an experience that is empowering for people and kind to the planet. There is both a wealth and geographical divide in terms of using safe and hygienic period products, a basic human right which should be afforded to all menstruating people equally.

“Such a great design, far more comfortable than a standard pad”

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"I've been using the pads for three and a half years now and I love them!"

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"Super easy to clean and really absorbent so it always feel safe and secure"

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“Such a great design, far more comfortable than a standard pad” 〰️ "I've been using the pads for three and a half years now and I love them!" 〰️ "Super easy to clean and really absorbent so it always feel safe and secure" 〰️

A tale of two cities…

Jaipur

Jaipur is the home of our co-operative, the Her Shakti Centre, where 7 local women are employed to produce our reusable cloth pads.

The workshop space was founded by our Director Ishu from the Jeevan Arth Foundation, and is more than just a workspace: the Her Shakti Centre holds weekly self-defence, yoga and English language classes run by locals. Our beneficiaries can empower themselves and their community in a space totally dedicated to their ventures. This is the heart of the Sanitree cause and it’s from here that we hope to inspire the breakdown of the menstruation taboo through education and awareness raising.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is our UK base, where the 18 members of the student-led Sanitree team attend university together.

It is here that we organise most of our fundraising to support the production and activities in the Her Shakti Centre. We host events for the student community throughout the year to raise funds and awareness of our operations as well as working with political and community stakeholders, organising campaigns raising awareness of period stigma. We are currently breaking into the UK market with our pads to further subsidize the cost of our pads in Jaipur, and help to fund other Jaipur ventures. Once a year, our volunteers go and visit the Her Shakti Centre.

Let’s make period poverty history.

Sanitree was founded because the taboo surrounding menstruation is an epidemic across India, alienating many women from men and from each other. Menstruation is a normal, natural process, but without the knowledge of what it is, why we have it and a comfortable dialogue about it, it can be overwhelming and isolating.

Learn more about the menstruation taboo.

The uptake of sanitary pad use is slowly increasing, but against the backdrop of a climate crisis. Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to India’s landscapes and the planet as a whole. Every disposable sanitary pad contains the equivalent plastic of four shopping bags. With approximately 121 million women using disposable sanitary pads in India, 12 billion pads are thrown away every year. Taking 500-800 years to decompose, these 12 billion pads are extremely harmful to India’s environment and the future of the planet.

Learn about how we are mitigating these impacts with our reusable pads

The earth is worth fighting for.

New Pad Design!

Purchase here

Testimonials

Anna Brown

“Sanitree is doing amazing work to combat the stigma surrounding menstruation and also make access to period products more readily available. The period pad they have created has the potential to change so many menstruators lives, as well as helping lower the waste that period products produce. On top of all of this, they are a offering job and the opportunity to learn new skills to their beneficiaries who create each pad by hand. I spent 6 weeks volunteering for Sanitree and had such an amazing experience working with Ishu and the beneficiaries to spread the message about period poverty and also encourage everyone to have a more sustainable outlook on these issues. Please donate, visit and give your time to this amazing place!”

Google Review
Abu Ishan

“A great example of sustainable development and environment-friendly business. It was a privilege getting to know the incredible women Sanitree is run by. Her Shakti Centre is a place of positive and productive energy.”

Google Review
Frances Roberts

“I have been the Co-project Leader for the Edinburgh team for the last 18 months and it was so amazing to finally visits the center! The beneficiaries are so sweet and the space has such a welcoming vibe. I even got to try some of the stitching on one of the pads which was very exciting. Would definitely recommend a visit”

Google Review
Harshika Janghid

“I’m fortunate to have been a part of Her Shakti Centre and really happy to see the outstanding work done by them. They are breaking the stigma around menstruation and providing employment to women in need. This is exactly what we as a society need more of.”

Google Review
Ishwar Purohit

“Sanitree is a NGO that truely works for the upliftment and betterment of society specially amoung women in India and aboard. I must say that it is doing a great job and making a difference in life of thousands of women by spreading awareness about Menstrual Hygiene.”

Google Review
Kunal Singh

“Ever since I joined the centre, I feel very happy. I got to learn a lot here and always meet good people.”

Google Review
Swati Saini

“When first came across Sanitree in 2019 it was just a small team and the cloth pad was good but today it is so incredibly improved on every level that is unbelievable to my surprise. The team work and the product both have grown to be excellent and I would highly recommend trying the same for a better period health and better environment.”

Google Review